Raphael Stevens

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a news conference organized by Geneva Association of United Nations Correspondents (ACANU) amid the COVID-19 outbreak, at the WHO headquarters in Geneva Switzerland July 3, 2020.Fabrice Coffrini | Pool | ReutersWorld Health Organization Director General-Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Friday urged other countries, particularly the Group of Seven industrialized nations, to follow the U.S. example and support a World Trade Organization motion to temporarily waive Covid-19 vaccine patent protections.”Wednesday’s announcement by the U.S. that it will support a temporary waiver of intellectual property protections for Covid-19 vaccines is a significant statement of solidarity and support for vaccine equity,” Tedros said at a press briefing. “I know that this is not a politically easy thing to do, so I very much appreciate the leadership of the U.S. and we urge other countries to follow their example.”The U.S., which is a strong advocate for enforcing intellectual property rights worldwide, previously opposed waiving patent protections for Covid vaccines.President Joe Biden personally made the decision to change the U.S. stance, White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday. Biden had supported waiving Covid vaccine intellectual property rights as a presidential candidate.The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America – whose members include vaccine makers AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson – strongly opposes the Biden administration’s decision.WHO chief Tedros also called Friday for the G-7 industrialized nations – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the U.K in addition to the U.S. – to do more to facilitate the equitable distribution of Covid vaccines worldwide.”For G-7, now the most important and immediate support we need is vaccines, vaccine equity,” Tedros said. “I think everybody knows what we should do to increase the production capacity and then increase vaccination coverage in all countries.”According to the WHO chief, more than 80% of the more than 1 billion Covid vaccine doses distributed worldwide have gone to high-income countries, while low-income countries received 0.3%.”This kind of divide is unacceptable,” Tedros said. “It’s unacceptable not just because of a moral issue but it’s unacceptable because we will not defeat the virus in a divided world.””It’s in every country’s interest in this world to share vaccines and to help in any way possible to ensure vaccine equity,” the WHO chief said. “Vaccine equity is not charity. Vaccine equity is in the interest of everybody.”The push to waive patent protections, proposed by India and South Africa in October of last year, faces an uphill battle at the WTO, which makes decisions through consensus among its 164 member nations.Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has come out against the push to temporarily waive vaccine patents. BioNTech, which developed a Covid vaccine in partnership with Pfizer, is based in Germany.”The US proposal to remove patent protection for Covid-19 vaccines has significant implications for vaccine production as a whole,” a German government spokesperson said Thursday. “The limiting factor in vaccine production is production capacity and high quality standards, not patents.”The governments of Canada, Italy, Japan and the U.K. have not adopted clear public stances for or against waiving IP protections in the wake of the U.S. reversal. French President Emmanuel Macron has backed the U.S. position.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen – who heads the European Union’s executive body – did not embrace the waiver plan, saying in a speech she is “ready to discuss any proposals that address the crisis in an effective and pragmatic manner.”Russia, which developed the Sputnik vaccine, expressed support for the move and China is open to further discussion. The WHO announced Friday that it has approved the vaccine developed by China’s Sinopharm for emergency use.About 80 countries in the WTO, largely developing nations, have expressed support for the proposal, according to The Associated Press, which cited a Geneva-based trade official.”It’s also important to remember that intellectual property waivers will need to be accompanied by transfers of technology and know-how for these difficult to make vaccines,” Tedros said. More

In this articleJNJAn Army nurse holds a vial of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the FEMA-supported COVID-19 vaccination site at Valencia State College on the first day the site resumed offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine following the lifting of the pause ordered by the FDA and the CDC due to blood clot concerns.Paul Hennessy | LightRocket | Getty ImagesLess than half of Americans are confident in the safety of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine after it was temporarily halted in the U.S. following reports of a rare blood clotting issue in some recipients, according to a new survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.While most people are confident in Covid vaccines, in general, just 46% of survey respondents said they were at least somewhat confident in the J&J shot, compared with 69% who said the same for both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Kaiser surveyed 2,097 randomly selected adults ages 18 and older from April 15 through April 29 for the study published Wednesday.The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on April 13 asked states to temporarily halt using J&J’s vaccine “out of an abundance of caution” following reports of rare blood clots in six women. A CDC panel recommended the U.S. resume using the vaccine 10 days later, saying the benefits outweigh the risks.The J&J news appears to have changed some minds about getting a shot.Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwardsOne in 5 unvaccinated respondents said the news altered their view about getting the vaccine in some way, though the specific reactions varied, with 7% saying it made them less likely to want any of the three Covid vaccines, Kaiser found. Another 9% said it made them less likely to want the J&J vaccine but that it didn’t change their minds about the Pfizer or Moderna shots. Nevertheless, the share of respondents who say they have received a shot increased significantly from last month’s survey, jumping from 32% to 56%. That figure mirrors data from the CDC, which reports that about the same share of U.S. adults have received one dose or more.”The news was widespread, and it certainly affected confidence in J&J, but it’s not clear that it had a big impact on whether people actually got vaccinated or not,” said Dr. Mollyann Brodie, executive director of the foundation’s public opinion and survey research program. “It confirmed for people who were concerned about side effects that there were side effects, but we know that the immediate effect — at least in terms of what people told us — is very minor in terms of demand.”Women were more likely than men to say the J&J news changed their minds about getting vaccinated, the Kaiser survey showed, particularly Hispanic women, 18% of whom said it made them less likely to want a vaccine at all.Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwardsThe timing of the Johnson & Johnson pause coincides with an overall slowdown in U.S. vaccinations. The country reported an average of 2.1 million vaccinations per day over the past week, CDC data shows, down from a peak of 3.4 million on April 13.The fact that the nationwide decline in daily shots occurred during the halt is more of a coincidence than a direct effect, said Dr. Rupali Limaye, a faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Limaye studies vaccine decision-making and has been working with state health departments during the vaccine rollout. While the pause on J&J and any resulting reluctance contributes to the decline somewhat, Limaye said the bigger factor is that the country has reached the point where most Americans who want a vaccine have gotten one.CNBC Health & Science Read CNBC’s latest coverage of the Covid pandemic:Pfizer and BioNTech begin the process of seeking full U.S. approval for their Covid vaccineConfidence in the safety of the J&J vaccine is low following U.S. pause, Kaiser survey showsCovid vaccine makers’ shares seesaw after Biden administration says it will back patent waivers Global Covid death toll more than double official estimates, says IHME “I’m hearing from states that things are not just slowing generally because of J&J, but slowing because we’ve essentially been able to satisfy demand,” she said.The Kaiser Foundation survey data backs this up. Respondents who said they were most eager for a shot — those already vaccinated or who want it as soon as possible — increased only slightly from the last survey in March, from 61% to 64%. The share who want to “wait and see” before getting vaccinated, which had been shrinking in size, remained about the same.”We’re at a stage in the vaccination effort where all the eager folks are already vaccinated or in the process,” Brodie said. “We’re now turning to the people who are hesitant, with strategies needed to reach a lot of different people.” More

Workers unload boxes containing the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine, donated by China, at the Damascus International Airport on April 24, 2021, in the Syrian capital.Loua Beshara | AFP | Getty ImagesThe World Health Organization said Friday it has approved for emergency use a coronavirus vaccine developed by Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical group Sinopharm.Beijing’s Covid vaccine is recommended for adults 18 years and up with a two-dose regimen, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press briefing.The new addition to the list of usable vaccine options could hasten efforts to control the spread of Covid-19 and its variant forms, which are driving new infections in many parts of the world.”Solving the vaccine crisis requires that we pull out all the stops,” Tedros said.Sinopharm’s shot is the sixth to receive the WHO’s approval for “safety, efficacy and quality,” he said.”Vaccines remain a vital tool. But right now, the volume and distribution of vaccines is insufficient to end the pandemic, without the sustained and tailored application of public health measures that we know work,” Tedros said.”The pandemic has shown that when health is at risk, everything is at risk. But when health is protected and promoted, individuals, families, communities, economies and nations can thrive,” he said.CNBC Health & Science Read CNBC’s latest coverage of the Covid pandemic:Pfizer and BioNTech begin the process of seeking full U.S. approval for their Covid vaccineConfidence in the safety of the J&J vaccine is low following U.S. pause, Kaiser survey showsCovid vaccine makers’ shares seesaw after Biden administration says it will back patent waivers Global Covid death toll more than double official estimates, says IHME The state-owned drugmaker’s two-dose Covid shot has already been approved for emergency use in China, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.Another Chinese shot, made by the private company Sinovac, has not yet been approved by the WHO.In the U.S., vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have received emergency use authorizations by the Food and Drug Administration.The WHO has granted emergency validation for those three shots, as well as for vaccines produced by Astrazeneca-SK BIO and the Serum Institute of India. More

Flood waters stream down the road in Muhlenberg Township, Pennsylvania, after a major storm last August.Ben Hasty | MediaNews Group | Getty ImagesContinuing climate change and soaring lumber costs are two things you may need to consider when it comes to your homeowners insurance.Whether you live in an area prone to hurricanes, tornados, flooding, hail, wildfires or severe storms — all of which are becoming more prevalent — it’s important to know which types of weather-related damage your policy covers, excludes or charges a separate (and likely higher) deductible for.Add in current lumber prices — they are up 67% already this year and 340% from a year ago — and the cost of repairing or replacing your home if severe weather strikes may be far more than you’d expect.”It could be a major financial hit for you if you don’t understand the policy you bought,” said Spencer Houldin, president of Ericson Insurance Advisors.As warmer weather takes hold across the U.S., so does the likelihood of severe weather. Tornado season already is under way, and the official hurricane season starts June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. Meanwhile, California and parts of the Southwest are experiencing drought conditions, which is conducive to wildfires.Last year, there were 22 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events in the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. There also were 30 Atlantic storms that were named — a record — 12 of which made landfall in the U.S.Depending on where you live and the weather that’s typical for that area, your homeowners policy may provide coverage for some of the more location-specific events, and state law often dictates what’s required of policies offered in their jurisdiction.Here’s what to review in your policy.Replacement costStandard policies typically will repair or replace your home up to the amount it’s insured for. Or, you may have a clause that increases that replacement amount to 125% or 150% of your dwelling coverage. Or, it may have no cap on the replacement cost.”If you have a guaranteed cost-replacement provision, check whether it’s 125% or 150% or uncapped,” Houldin said. “It’s just really important, especially in disaster-prone areas, that you have sufficient coverage.”When you’re evaluating the replacement-cost provision of your policy, be sure to take into consideration the higher costs (i.e., lumber) of rebuilding your home — especially if it’s been a while since you purchased the insurance.Different damage, different deductiblesWhile many perils are covered under the standard part of your policy, some weather-related events fall under a different part that comes with a different deductible.If you live in a state along the East Coast or Gulf of Mexico, there’s a good chance your homeowners insurance policy has a hurricane deductible. Likewise, in states more prone to wind-related events — i.e., tornadoes — you’re likely to have a wind deductible.Either way, those amounts typically range from about 1% to 5% (with a minimum $500) depending on the specifics of your insurance contract. Some homeowners might opt for an even higher deductible if it’s available. Generally speaking, the higher the deductible, the lower the premiums, and vice versa. More from Personal Finance:A Roth IRA could help you buy a home. Here’s what to knowWill your child’s school mandate Covid vaccinations?You don’t need to be ultra-wealthy to consider a prenupIt’s important to note that for those percentage-based deductibles, the amount is based on your insured value, not the damage caused.So if your home is insured for $500,000 and you have a 5% hurricane deductible, you’d be responsible for covering the first $25,000 regardless of the total cost of the damage. This means it’s wise to have a plan to cover your share in the aftermath of a disaster.For instance, Houldin knew a homeowner who had a 15% wind deductible — $150,000 — on a $1 million home. When high winds ripped off the roof, the event caused $110,000 in damage — below the deductible.In other words, the homeowner had to pay for the repair out of pocket.Also be aware that earthquakes are not covered by standard homeowners policies, even in quake-prone California (you’d have to purchase separate insurance). Nor, typically, are other types of earth movement (i.e., landslides, sinkholes).Flooding riskHomeowners policies generally exclude flooding from coverage. Yet just one inch of water in your home can cause up to $25,000 worth of damage, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. And, 1 in 4 flood insurance claims come from outside a high-risk zone.For coverage, you’d need separate flood insurance through either the federal National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. Be aware, however, that there are coverage exclusions and limitations. And, flood policies take 30 days to become effective. The average yearly cost is $734, although that can vary widely.”If you’re in a hazardous flood zone, the mortgage lender requires you to have flood insurance,” Houldin said. “If you’re in a nonhazardous zone, the lender says you don’t need it.”While flooding is a common aspect of natural disasters, fewer than 15% of homeowners have flood insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute.When a homeowner faces storm-related damage that is uncovered but in a federally declared disaster zone, there might be government programs that can provide financial assistance, including FEMA grants and Small Business Administration loans. However, that help is not guaranteed, and it likely wouldn’t get you quickly back on your feet.For instance, after Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which dumped as much as 60 inches of rain in some spots in Texas, the average FEMA grant for individuals was $7,000, while the average claim through the National Flood Insurance Program was more than $100,000.If you’re a renterEven if you don’t own your home, your finances are still at risk if a storm damages the house or building you live in. While the owner’s insurance would cover the structure itself, you’d be responsible for your own property.Renter’s insurance is an option for covering your belongings. It also can cover the cost of living somewhere else if you can’t remain in your home after a storm or any other insured event.The national average for a policy with $40,000 coverage for personal property, a $1,000 deductible and $100,000 of liability protection is $197 a year (about $17 a month), according to an Insurance.com rate analysis.Protect your important recordsLong before disaster hits, key documents — such as birth certificates, deeds, titles and tax returns — should be stored safely in a waterproof spot, and duplicates should be kept elsewhere with a trusted person, advises the IRS. Or, you can scan and store them online or a flash drive.Additionally, taking photos of your home’s contents and condition can help facilitate the insurance claims process if your house ends up being damaged. More

A traveler exits a testing center at Heathrow Airport on January 17, 2021 in London.Hollie Adams | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesLONDON — British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed on Friday the “green list” of countries that residents of England will soon be allowed to visit without having to quarantine on their return.Travel has been tightly restricted during the most severe months of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. But from May 17, people in England will be allowed to visit certain countries, although some restrictions will still apply.Twelve countries will be on England’s so-called “green list.” Travelers to these countries will need to be tested pre-departure and on their return. But they will not need to quarantine on their return.The 12 countries are:PortugalIsraelGibraltarAustraliaNew ZealandSingaporeBruneiIcelandFaroe IslandsFalkland IslandsSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSt. Helena, Tristan de Cunha, Ascension IslandOutside those 12, other nations have been divided into an “amber” and a “red” list — with the latter requiring the most stringent of measures. Turkey was one notable name added to the red list on Friday.Popular destinations for Brits, such as France and Spain, have not been placed on the green list at this stage. Shapps said at a press conference on Friday that green list countries can have their status withdrawn at any time.Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will announce their own travel restrictions for their residents separately.British travelers also face other countries’ travel restrictions, such as those in Australia and the United States.U.S. and European airlines and a host of travel industry companies, struggling from a slump in international travel, this week urged their governments to loosen travel rules that currently bar most Britons from entering, citing an increase in vaccination rates in their respective countries.”We continue to encourage the U.S. to implement a reciprocal policy that allows travelers who are fully vaccinated to travel to the U.S. from nations with similarly successful vaccination programs,” said Airlines for America, a trade group that represents most large U.S. airlines, including American, Delta and United.Airline executives have cast doubt on a restoration of most U.S.-Europe travel this summer with restrictions still in place but have been more upbeat about the possibility of U.K.-U.S. travel reopening.U.S. airlines in recent weeks have announced new service to some destinations that have opened or plan to, such as Greece, Iceland and Croatia.— CNBC’s Leslie Josephs contributed reporting from New York. More